Football: African Confederation Cup – first round return leg match preview-Anse Réunion up against all odds |05 April 2008
“We have to stop this losing skid against South African clubs. It is time we change the course of history and we have to do it in front of our fans,” said Anse Réunion’s Yugoslav coach Vojo Gardasevic at the Maison Football, where his team camped for the encounter.
“Ajax Cape Town are a very good side and with professional players who like to play quick football. But my players showed them too much respect in the away match.”
Known to be a good tactician, coach Vojo added: “My team have to score goals and at the same time we must be on our guard not to concede any. I hope all my players show their responsibility and display the will to win. I believe we can win the match and progress to the next round of the competition.”
The former coach of the Seychelles national team and the La Passe side, Vojo expects all Seychellois fans to rally behind Anse Réunion, giving the La Digue-based team the support they need to get the win.
“My players will not only be playing for Anse Réunion, they will also be defending the Seychelles colours. We need everyone’s support. It’s a shame that La Passe players cannot come to Mahé to watch the match because they play Foresters on La Digue today.”
Aware that his team face a tough task, Anse Réunion’s captain and goalkeeper Ricky Rose who, according to reports from South Africa, made a number of important saves in the away match, said:
“All the players are ready and want to get a win. They are focused after the coaching staff corrected the mistakes we committed in the away game. I’m confident of getting a win.”
To progress to the second round of the competition, Anse Réunion must get a 2-0 win to bring the aggregate score to 2-1 in their favour. Any other two-goal win will also see them through.
If they win today’s game 1-0, the two teams will be locked at 1-1 and the winners will be decided on a penalty shootout. A 2-1 win is also not good for Anse Réunion because they will lose the match on the away goals rule, although the score will be tied at 2-2.
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Seychellois clubs’ records against South African clubs
St Michel in the African Champions League in 2004:
First round: St Michel v/s Orlando Pirates of South Africa (2-3 and 1-5 in South Africa)
(St Michel’s scorers: Kenyan Zablon Amanaka and James Bonne in the home leg at Stad Linite, and Isaiah Onyango in South Africa)
Red Star in the African Confederation Cup in 2005:
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First round: Red Star v/s Supersport United FC of South Africa (1-4 at home and 0-9 away) (Red Star’s scorer: Wilnes Brutus in the home leg at Stad Linite)
G. G.